Campamento Tortuguero “Playa Hermosa”

实用信息

• Animal protection organization
• Open daily10 AM–6:30 PM
• 19 kmfrom Acapulco de Juarez center
• Wheelchair accessentrance
• 4.5 / 51,555 reviews
• Acapulco de Juarez

What the camp actually does

Sea turtles—chiefly the seasonal golfina, or olive ridley, along with other species that come ashore on the Acapulco coast—face countless threats between nest and ocean, so the camp's work is deliberately hands-on. Staff and volunteers patrol the beach through the night, locate mother turtles as they lay, and carefully move the eggs into the camp's protected sand beds, shielding them from both people and natural predators. The nests are planted in the camp's patio, watched over until the young emerge, and then sent off toward the waves. Recent coverage puts the pace of releases in season at more than 500 hatchlings a day.↗↗↗

The whole operation is carried out by the non-profit Amigos del Mar, a locally owned effort that the camp openly says lives on its visitors and donations. Walking through the hatchery beds and listening to the team's explanations gives the release far more meaning than a quick photo op, and many families describe it as the most memorable part of an Acapulco trip.↗↗

Releasing a hatchling into the sea

The release is the reason most people come, and the format is intimate. Each visitor is given a single hatchling, cradled in a little bowl or a coconut half so the tiny animals are never handled roughly. Guests are encouraged to name their turtle before setting it down on the wet sand and watching it instinctively struggle toward the surf. The hatchlings released are usually ones that emerged just that morning, which is part of what makes the moment feel so immediate and tender.↗↗

The release slots into a visit that typically runs two to three hours from arrival to departure. It pairs well with a few hours on the beach afterward, and during the busy July-to-September stretch, popular time slots can fill, so it is worth planning ahead.↗↗

Learn, then linger at the beach

Beyond the release, the camp is an education project first. There is a short film with English subtitles explaining the turtles' life cycle and the dangers they face, plus informal talks given to visitors and to school groups about respecting marine life—a mission the camp's coordinator repeats often. It is widely recommended as a place to bring children precisely because the message sticks: many parents note that kids leave the camp feeling newly protective of the ocean.↗↗↗

The beach itself earns its name, "Hermosa" simply meaning beautiful in Spanish. Playa Hermosa is one of Acapulco's better-known surf beaches, with wide sand and waves that draw board-riders, and visitors often remark that its water feels cleaner and less rocky than some of the city's central coves. The camp also keeps a safe beachside camping zone, so the spot doubles as a low-key base close to the action.↗↗

Around the camp you can add on a slow beach day: simple seafood is cooked on site, and horseback riding, bike and other beach activities are sometimes available nearby. If you want a broader outing, tour operators outside the camp often pair the release with a boat trip across the nearby Barra Vieja lagoon—mangrove channels, birds and a quieter side of the region a short drive away.

Plan your visit

The camp is open every day from 10:00 to 18:30. It sits on the Costera / old-airport road in Colonia Alfredo V. Bonfil, west of Acapulco's main bay, an easy taxi or self-drive hop toward the beach resorts and the airport. A generous parking area sits at the entrance, with space generally free and a tip for the attendant the norm.↗↗

Releases are strongest in season, roughly June through December, when the golfina nest along Guerrero's beaches; outside those months hatchlings can be scarce, so calling or messaging ahead on WhatsApp to confirm there are turtles to release is a smart move. Participation is a modest donation per hatchling rather than a fixed ticket price—visitor accounts have cited a token cooperation amount—since the proceeds help keep the sanctuary running.↗↗↗

A couple of small comforts make the visit smoother: wear sandals or flip-flops, as midday sand can burn, and bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent for the beachside setting. If you are hoping to witness the dramatic part of the work—the night beach patrol to find a nesting turtle or the nocturnal spawning—those special tours need to be arranged in advance, so ask when you call.